Put off packing up the tree, lights and eggnog (mmm, eggnog) for another few days. After all, Christmas cheer can last straight through to the new year. Or at least thatยs what the Moscow Ballet believes, as it brings its Great Russian Nutcracker to the Stafford Centre for one final bout of ballet. Visiting from the land of the Nutcrackerยs composer, Tchaikovsky, the ensemble offers one of the most elaborate, artful Nutcracker productions out there ย of course, with all the technical precision and classical elegance to be expected from the Russians. The company features graduates from the chilly countryยs top ballet schools and local children, who will leap and twirl their way through Claraยs mansion, the pine forest, and the Kingdom of Sweets, meeting the Rat King and the Sugar Plum Fairy along the way. Prepare yourself, of course, for a spectacular Russian Dance. 3 p.m. 10505 Cash Road, Stafford. For information, call 281-208-6900 or visit www.nutcracker.com. $30 to $65.
Sun., Dec. 28, 3 p.m., 2008
This article appears in Dec 25-31, 2008.